Roz’s truce keeps life inside the Nest mostly peaceful, even though outside the lodges the animals still hunt, scavenge, and sometimes eat one another. Around the fire, the lodgers avoid those tensions by talking together and trying to keep the mood pleasant.

Chitchat wonders where Brightbill is and imagines the migrating geese safe, happy, and well fed. Roz admits that Roz thinks about Brightbill constantly and worries that the flock may have been caught in the icy weather, though Chitchat reassures Roz that Brightbill’s flying skill will help the flock avoid trouble.

Digdown, the old groundhog, reflects on a life spent digging tunnels and regrets not helping others more. Digdown praises the beavers for improving the island with their dam and credits Roz’s lodges with saving many animals. When Digdown wants to repay Roz, Roz says friendship is enough, then admits that Roz’s body will eventually fail and that Roz will need help from friends to survive as long as possible.

Crag, the ancient turtle, explains that winters are colder, summers hotter, storms fiercer, and the ocean higher than in the past. Crag tells the animals an old story that the island was once a mountain surrounded by flatlands, until shaking ground and rising water forced many animals onto it; after fighting, disease, and famine, the island reached its current balance. Chitchat fears the island will someday be swallowed, but Crag says that would be far in the future.

Swooper then speaks about purpose, saying everything has one, from the sun and plants to hunters, hiders, and scavengers. When the animals ask Roz’s purpose, Roz first says Roz has none, but the lodgers suggest building, gardening, and caring for Brightbill. Roz concludes that perhaps Roz is simply meant to help others.